San Francisco 49ers: NaVorro Bowman, Dashon Goldson draw league fines

SANTA CLARA -- Two of the 49ers' top hitters took a blow to the pocketbook Friday. The NFL fined linebacker NaVorro Bowman $10,000 for unnecessary roughness and free safety Dashon Goldson $7,875 for his hit on a sliding quarterback during last weekend's game against the St. Louis Rams.

Both players said they planned to appeal.

"I'm not a dirty player," Goldson said.

His coaches agree. Though Jim Harbaugh did not defend the free safety's costly hit on Sam Bradford, a penalty that put the Rams in position for a late field goal, he had overall praise for the way Goldson walks the fine line between aggressiveness and recklessness.

"He's probably one of the best front-up tacklers in the game," Harbaugh said as the 49ers prepared for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park. "The penalties have been after the whistle. So that's the main thing -- pulling off the hit when the quarterback's sliding. Leaving it when the whistle stops.

"But he's done a great job. There haven't been any helmet-to-helmet penalties from Dashon. His technique and ability really have been outstanding."

Bowman's transgression stemmed from a hit on running back Steven Jackson on the game's second play from scrimmage. The linebacker declined to comment other than to confirm that he would appeal.

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Since torching the Raiders for 172 rushing yards in Week 2, Dolphins running back Reggie Bush has been held in check. He's topped 70 rushing yards in a game only one other time. His longest run against a team other than the Raiders is 22 yards.

Still, Bush has the 49ers' attention. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio worries about "one of those runs where he reverses field and looks like sandlot ball. You've got to be ready."

Bush, a teammate of Alex Smith when they were both at Helix Charter High in La Mesa, registered the only four-touchdown game of his career against the 49ers in 2006, when he was with New Orleans.

"He's very elusive, fast and quick," linebacker Patrick Willis said.

Receiver Mario Manningham (shoulder) is listed as doubtful. Harbaugh reiterated that Manningham's injury could open the door for first-round pick A.J. Jenkins to make his NFL debut.

"Yes, I've seen progress from A.J.," Harbaugh said. "He's been on his assignments. He's executed well when he's been out there. So he's given great effort. Football rewards that effort."

Jenkins has been on the active roster twice this season, including last week against St. Louis, but has yet to play a snap.

Second-round pick LaMichael James also could get his shot after a week of mounting hints that he will take the field. One of the last hurdles for the 5-foot-9, 195 pounder is demonstrating to coaches that he's a capable pass protector.

"He's coming along," offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. "But you never truly find out until you get out in the game on Sunday afternoon."

The 49ers are one of the rare teams to make a quarterback switch midseason. The NFL notes that 24 teams (75 percent) have started the same QB in every game this season, the most at this point since at least 1970.

Also from the NFL: Aldon Smith's 17﻿1/2 sacks are the second-most through 12 games since sacks became an official stat in 1982. Mark Gastineau had 18﻿1/2 sacks over the New York Jets' first 12 games in 1984.

Kaepernick's 50-yard run in the fourth quarter last Sunday broke the 49ers record for the longest by a quarterback. The previous mark was Steve Young's epic 49-yard touchdown run against the Minnesota Vikings in 1988.

Cornerback Tarell Brown (hamstring) said he feels fine and plans to play.